A MAN who helped hundreds of customers steal premium cable TV services was jailed for a year yesterday.

In a £50,000 scam, David Turner, 34, altered NTL decoder boxes to get channels such as Sky Sports and Sky Movies for free.

Co-accused Ronald Waddell, 39, was given 160 hours of community service for alesser role in the scheme.

The pair had earlier admitted a charge under the Copyrights And Designs Act at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Police were alerted in November 2003 that NTL cable TV boxes were being illegally "chipped" for a one-off fee of £150, after boxes were seen being delivered to and collected from premises at Strathclyde Business Centre in Bargeddie, near Glasgow.

Derek Buchanan, prosecuting, said Turner did the "technical work" and was the "principal actor", with Waddell assisting.

Police moved in on the pair in March 2004. Turner, of Kingsway, Kirkintilloch, admitted his role. Waddell, of Coldrach Ghyll, Drymen, Stirlingshire, initially denied being involved.

The court heard they worked on "a few boxes a day" for at least four months.